John Le Forestier said:.David Russell said:His dancing with the stars routine did it. :rolleyes:
You done figured out who Rooster was though!;)
Kevin Strong said:
Wendel, I really don't know the answer to that. The railroad never has been a big (or even small) money-maker, though my understanding is that the revenue from the past 3 years was certainly an improvement over years past. I was told (2nd-hand) that they were running in the black for the first time in a long while, but can't verify that. That could also mean they didn't spend a ton of money that perhaps had been spent in previous years, or who knows what the accounting was. Regardless, no trains running is not good for business--heck, even bring the speeders out for a weekend event or something like that. Those are a kick in the pants to ride (literally and figuratively). You gotta do [i]something[/i] to keep people interested.Jake, the only operable steamer there is #15. It was rebuilt 7 or 8 years ago, but don’t know where it stands relative to its periodic FRA-mandated (or whoever-mandated) inspection. #14 is technically operable, but needs its inspection/certification, and there’s presumably going to be some work involved in getting that done or they’d likely have done it already. The rest of the mikes are ostensibly stuffed and mounted at this point, needing probably 7-figures to restore each to service.
Later,
K
Kevin, depending on usage, the inspections are just about up. Under the original ICC regs, it was a 5-year CALENDER-based teardown & inspection. The new regs are based on “operational days” which is any day that sees more than atmospheric pressure in the boiler. The new regs make it 1472 “service days”, or 15 years, whichever comes first. For those with morbid bordom, consult 40CFR Part 230… Steam Locomotive inspection regulations.
As for operations, its a real shame. I’m currently an engineer for NS on the Pittsburgh Division, with a home terminal of Altoona. There is a conductor I work with who also volunteers with the EBT. On a rather boring trip to Harrisburg recently, we discussed plans on how to rebuild the entire line, included was ways to handle operations in Mount Union, considering that the location of the old wye has been built upon. We had a pretty nice plan put together. Its a shame that we couldn’t have found someone to back us, at least we were trying to keep the trains rolling.
Unfortunately, the small steam operations will probably die off due to maintenance costs.
With riders in the 100,000+ per year, such as D&S, C&T, operating every day, ticket prices $50.00 and up, they can probably do it.
The EBT is a very short line compared to most of the operating steam lines still running. They probably wouldn’t get enough revenue even if they operated 7 days a week and raised ticket prices.
A thought would be for any small 3’ gauge tourist line is to purchase those unused Alcos from the White Pass and at least still have train rides. Then they can avoid the steam boiler regs.
I’m afraid we will probably lose all our operating NG steam short line railroads in the near future.
Just my opinion from observations and reading the train mags…
Jason - Don’t give up hope on that plan. You might find a very wealthy train lover some day - or win the lottery 
I’m thinking about $100 million would do it, including track re-hab to Mt Union and restoration of a few more locomotives. Not so sure about south though; it might cost that just to re-hab the tunnels.
During the past 3 years, does anyone on this list know if the locomotive was kept in steam during the week? I’m pretty sure under the owner’s management they went cold on Sunday night and weren’t fired again until Friday night - thus saving on operating hours.
When the EBT does run, how long is the ride?
I dont necessarly think that shortline tourist trains are going by the way of the dodo.
My first thought about buying a diesel to run the EBT trains is that historically accurate? I can only go by my personal opinion but I dont think it is worth it to ride behind a diesel. There is just something about the feel, sounds and smell that you get from a steam locomotive. Most flock to these small tourist lines that run steam for the nastalgia (sp?).
I can tell you this. I’m going to Wisconsin Dells for our family trip. There is two different train rides there. One is pulled by a diesel and the other is a 3/4 scale steam locomotive. Guess which one I’m going to go on?
I can take experience of my local tourist line the Black Hills Central. Not too long ago (about 10 years) the railroad was close to being closed due to financial problems. The owner sold the RR to new owners who took an honest assesment of the state of affairs. Their first was to extend the line back into Keystone (Which had been washed out in 1972 and the original owners never rebuilt. Instead choosing to stop at a junction 2 miles outside of the town in a place where there is really nothing there but a siding.). This was a critical thing because now everyone coming into Keystone and going to Mt Rushmore (over 2 million visitors a year) could see the steam locomotive right there in town. The ridership increased 5 times its original numbers. It was all due to marketing. Like I said there is nothing like a steam engine that gets pretty much everyone wanting to take a second look.
Since steam loco maintenance is outrageously expensive these days, maybe it’s time to mount diesel engines (with really good mufflers) in the tenders for propulsion and generate just enough steam to make chuffing noises and some escaping steam… just thinking out loud. Or even an RDC somewhere in the middle of the train disguised as a combine. If it looks and acts like the real thing, it’s the real thing. The steam loco purists will just have to learn to deal with it.
Ray, The Ride is around 8 miles total round trip. They run very slow, probably no more than 10 MPH and Y the entire train at both ends so its about an hour ride.
Jake - The EBT does have one diesel capable of pulling the passenger train and several other small ones for switching. M-7 is used as a back-up to the steam locomotive during regular operations, and pulls trains during special events like the fall spectacular. It was not original to the common carrier operation but is of the type and vintage that EBT might have purchased if they had dieselized.
As far as I know, the issue is not that there isn’t an operable steamer to run. The owner of the loco (and the railroad) has for some reason decided that he does not want the EBT Preservation Assoc. to operate it, or any other motive power. Any guess as to why is purely speculation.
Probably what it always is, “too many roosters in the hen house!”
But roosters like diesels!
Jake Smith said:As for running steam, there are too many chickens... :lol:
Probably what it always is, "too many roosters in the hen house!"